At a certain point in the novel, Morrison, through her narrator, states that romantic love and physical beauty are “probably the most destructive ideas in the history of human thought.” How do the lives of individual characters bear out that statement, in your view? To what degree do you think these two concepts are generated from within or imposed on us by society? Where do the characters first encounter ideas of romantic love and beauty – ideas which will eventually torture and exclude them? What positive visions of beauty and love does the novel offer?
I understand her statement but believe it’s an overstatement. Standards of beauty differ from culture to culture and throughout human history. I have personally seen the affect of specific ideas of beauty on school children, and the children indeed are harmed. This has long been a problem in the United States that can only be changed by working for standards to evolve.
I can’t imagine a world without romantic love. It may be messy but I believe it’s worth it.
As I stated, I understand her point that is reflected in this novel and through our society. I have seen greed—and with it the desire to conquer—throughout the centuries that has caused much more human suffering. Think of the destruction of our innumerable wars. This, I believe, is the most serious and harmful aspect of humans.
I don’t think romantic love is forced on anyone by society; I think it is a natural way of human life. Physical beauty standards come from society, but they are not always bad. However, romantic love provides a means of vulnerability through which people can be hurt, so I understand what is meant by the “destructive ideas” statement. Physical beauty, as well, can be a means of pain for some people who don’t feel that they measure up, but this is largely a choice. We choose how to feel about ourselves and that in turn is reflected outwardly. The characters in this book suffer from good role models and examples of what healthy love looks like, and this is ultimately the most destructive force that they face.
I think our culture romanticizes beauty in the way we advertise it, set different norms of beauty overtime, e.g whether it a different style of clothing, whether to have tanned or pale skin, to be extremely thin. And many women( in particular) and men try to achieve these norms. Some are unattainable without surgery, cosmetic changes, change in diet (dieting), and can be harmful or cause health risks. This is why cosmetic and clothing industry is lucrative business. Even plastic surgeons and dermatologists and other medical professionals are in the business. We have hair salons for changing hair color, texture, and nail color. One can change their eye color with contacts for it wear glasses (with or without prescription) many reasons. Some people are so obsess with the latest trends.
Some spend too much money or go into debt, or put themselves in harm. Many try to change their self-image, persona or make minor enhancements. This isn’t necessarily good. We should embrace our inner beauty and less attention on outward appearances.
It’s a profound critique of how romantic love and physical beauty are often idealized in society, especially through media and culture. In the novel, these ideas become oppressive forces, shaping characters’ self-worth and their relationships with others. The narrator seems to be suggesting that these ideals aren’t just unrealistic but also damaging, leading to internalized racism, self-hatred, and emotional harm.
The destructive nature comes from how these ideas, particularly beauty standards, become a measure of value. In The Bluest Eye, characters like Pecola Breedlove are deeply affected by the cultural emphasis on whiteness as the epitome of beauty, which leads her to desire blue eyes, as a symbol of acceptance and worth. It’s an example of how these ideals can ruin a person’s sense of identity and happiness.
I agree that our society’s embrace of the superiority of individuals with certain physical characteristics is destructive. It makes those individuals who don’t meet the physical beauty standards set by society believe that they are inferior. Those that are seen to be physically beautiful have the pressure of wondering if they are successful because of their abilities or if it due to their appearance.
In writing that physical love is destructive, I think the author is pointing out that, especially among adolescents, there is this belief that their self-worth is tied to having someone with which they can share romantic love. I can think of multiple friends in junior high and high school that were literally miserable because they didn’t have a girlfriend/boyfriend or that paired up with someone who just tolerated them or was emotionally abusive. With my generation (I’m 72), girls were much more afflicted with this need than boys. I was considered a strange duck because I truly didn’t want to be bothered with all the drama. My concentration was on my classes, learning all that I could, and getting a college degree.